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Topic: Kouk-sun-do & Taoism (Read 22551 times)

Kouk-sun-do theory & philosophy have many similarities with Taoism: Yin-Yang theory, concept of five elements, etc. Does anyone have any information about the relationship between Kouk-sun-do and Taoist tradition? I read one article about the Kouk-sun-do (in English), it tells that Grand Master Chungsan's teacher was a Taoist monk. Is it author's (or translator's) mistake, or it's really so?

Hi!I'm translating an article now, where Master Chung Sun gives an interview to a professor of Seul University. He realy tells that he met a Dao Master at the age of 13 who learned him Kouksundo.Later I'll try to put here a translation of this interview.

Kouksundo is very clearly different from taoism. There had been"great Do" in ancient Korea before buddism, taoism,confucianism came into being. "Do" means the way through which humans can be connected with heaven into one. Kouk(cosmic country: we consider the cosmos one country)+sun(the sun)+do(way,road,street, or method)=kouksundo is the way through which humans canbe linked with heaven by increasing their wisdom and ability to the maxim level though taking in the Illimitable energy and brightness of the sun with their mind and body by way of danjeon and eventually skin breathing. Tao is chinese style pronounciation of "Do"(the way). Do( 'do' we read this letter in Korea and in kouksundo) originated from the thought that we must respect our Heanen and lovePeople. but Heaven is abstract and no concrete form . Ancient korean people began to regard the sun as the symbol of Heaven. " the great present from Heaven to our people". They wanted to take the present of the Heaven as much as possible with only mind, in the beginning. They gradualy realised that breathing is the passage of Heavenly present and danjeon is the store house of heavenly present. Through so long years of trial and error approach, they finaly opened the precious way to the union with the Heaven. Therefore the way of "Do"(kouksundo) is almost entirely different fromThe way of taoism which was developed in china far later than "Do"(kouksundo)

In breif, the translation that Our grand master Cheong San' teacher was an ancient taoism monk Is not only erroneous but also clearly misleading. The tradition and spirit of kouksundo is very practical and purely virtuous. Be a healthy and strong person and let's benefit all the living thingsAs much as possible

Master Kim, thank you for explanations!Here is the link where I found that interview with Master Chungsan where he tells about meeting with Dao master.http://www.ksd21.com/ => Master Chungsan => Following his stepsMaybe it is wrong translations in this story?

Yes, it's a kind of transrational mistake. He was just a doist(Do+ist= way+ person) , a person who Is on the way to the union with the cosmos. The way of do is very different from the way of tao.The practice postures and exercises and breathing styles of kouksundo can' be found in any book of so many ancient taoist books. Kouksundo( in short, Do) originated from ancient Korea. Tao developedIn china so many times later.

Its interesting for me too. Are the concepts of Jung, Ki, Sheen completely analogous to the chinese concepts - Jing, Tsi, Shen? Is there a division into before-heaven energy level and post-heaven level? As I know, chinese taoism has separate methods for before-heaven level and post-heaven level. What is more, the first level connected with the inner alchemy, and the last - just for health.

Sorry if the question is out of topic.I'm studying a Korean masharat called Hapkido which has much cutted exercices of work with Ki. One of the Hapkido founders Master Ji-han Jae represents a school of practicioners which bears much more questions - Taoist Li, pythoness Han Mul Ni.Master Kim, do you know what system of Ki development was originally in Hapkido? Are there any connections between Kouksundo and Hapkido schools?What exercise Master Ji-han Jae does on this first photo?http://www.worldwidedojo.com/traditional-based/ji-han-jae/

I can not say that there is a direct relation beteen them. Hapkido is a kind of martial art, external training and kouksundo puts more emphasis on breathing, meditation, healthlful exerices, namely. Internal traing.

I was interested in Taoism a little. And I got some information about a variety of schools (existing now and existed in the past) who consider themselves as Taoist. These schools practices, methods and goals sometimes differ greatly. I wouldn't like to decide which school are more Taoist, and which are less Taoist (or maybe non-Taoist at all). And if we look at all this variety, we will get a very fuzzy picture of Taoism. In this case, we can re-read the immortal creation of Lao Tzu, but there are so many translations which are so very different from each other. Take a look please http://taopooh.narod.ru/3/transl.htmIn the case of Kouksundo, we are talking about the concrete methods and reproducible results. One who take part in seminars and practiced regularly - can feel it, I think. Thus, any parallels can be made only with a single Taoist school (but I don't want to do this for some reasons). Master Kim, please correct me if I'm wrong in something.

Dear Yuri!I think and expect that your practice is progressing smoothly and steadily. Last time I saw your face,The energy in it made me happy. I also think that what is more important is the concrete contentsrather than the complex and sometimes incomplehensible theories. I like your explanation.Steady practitioners like you are very valuable examples for human victory and future. Let's keep on! Dear vikram!Thank you for your interest! We do not put high empasis on the concept of the former and subequentsky. Our main interest is highest virtue and boundless energy through ceaseless practising.The concept has many different meanings according to which context it is used in. For instance,new world or old world, pre-natal or post natal. before creation or after creation, etc.